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University loan - help me

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Hi,
I’m not sure if anyone can help but I have an enquiry about university, with covid getting worse across the world and within the UK, most of our lessons are online with little physical studio time, or none at all and I’m just curious as to whether there’s anything can be done in terms of compensation. We’re paying £9k a year for a service we’re not receiving and getting full advantage of and it isn’t fair. Can you help?

Thank you
Tia 

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,242 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 7 October 2020 at 1:33PM
    You need to raise it with your university.

    However, keep your expectations low, as education is still being provided.
  • fwor
    fwor Posts: 6,862 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    We’re paying £9k a year for a service we’re not receiving and getting full advantage of and it isn’t fair.
    It's a difficult situation for all involved, but when referring to compensation, you have to bear in mind that this is not a situation where the University could reasonably be held to blame, and it's also a situation in which the University can do very little to cut their costs. They don't really have the option of laying off much in the way of staff, and they can't stop paying for many of their other outgoings. So there really isn't much scope for them to compensate you, as such.
    So, as ZX81 has already said, you need to manage your expectations. If you're to get a partial refund of fees, it's more likely to have to be as a result of a government funding scheme, I would think, rather than coming out of the University's coffers.

  • Check your university contract very clearly.
    Where you can identify they are not providing what you are paying for, then you can then approach them.
    The Open University appear to charge £6,192 per year so that presumably be the minimum you should be charged.
    Good luck and report back.
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As long as you can still come out of it after 3 years with a degree, I think the university will consider that they have discharged their obligations to you, whatever the method of delivery was.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • Thenonameleague
    Thenonameleague Posts: 71 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 8 October 2020 at 8:35PM
    You only pay off the loan when you start earning x amount and you could reach that threshold years (i dont know what your studying) after you leave uni.

    As mentioned you need to speak to your uni but I expect the answer will be no.
  • Voyager2002
    Voyager2002 Posts: 16,252 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    You might seriously consider a transfer to the Open University. It seems that what all universities will be providing is, in effect, a distance-learning degree course, and that is something that the OU can do very well. Plus the OU costs a little bit less.
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